Is Your Child Vaccinated?? Vaccines for Children – A complete Guide

Benjamin Franklin once quoted “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Let us contemplate what Benjamin said and try to fit this quote in context of prevention of infection in our children. By infections here we are talking about those life threatening conditions which are preventable if your child is vaccinated timely against them. Yes, we are talking about ‘vaccines’ here – Vaccines for Children.

With the successful eradication of small pox and polio from India, today our government is trying to reach each and every child for timely vaccination and leaving no stone unturned to make parents aware for need of vaccination. It is a proven fact that vaccination not only prevents an individual child from getting disease but also prevents others from getting that disease.

How do vaccines work

In simple words, vaccines are altered virus or bacteria which are injected or given orally. They trigger an immune response in the body and produce antibodies. These antibodies remain active in the body in order to fight against the real infection. For example, if there is an outbreak of Measles in your locality, the child who has been vaccinated against measles will have least chances to contract one.

Are we adequately aware?

To start with, as a parent we should be aware of names of vaccines, their frequency and what diseases they prevent. Given below is the most commonly used schedule for children upto 5 years of age. Pediatricians may follow different schedules but they revolve more or less around this schedule.

Apart from local redness and temporary swelling at injection site and mild fever, one need not be worried at all. These can be locally and easily dealt with. For any queries, talk to your health worker, nurse or physician. The benefits of getting vaccinated are much more.

More Vaccines for Children

There are other vaccines for children which are optional and one may chose to get those depending upon need, location and affordability. For example, vaccines against Japanese Encephalitis, chicken pox, meningitis, pneumococcal infections, mumps, Hepatitis A etc

So, protect your baby as her every vaccine counts and ensure her a healthy tomorrow.

I am a doctor and a public health specialist from Delhi. I have expertise in Obstetrics & Gynecology, child health and vaccinations. Formerly I worked with WHO’s immunization program in rural India as a technical consultant. I believe that accurate and relevant health information is the key to positive behavioral change subsequently leading to good health. I am an ardent traveler and a passionate writer.

3 COMMENTS

The importance of vaccination especially at right time of age is very well illustrated by the author. Inspite of the available resources, parents somehow ignore importance of vaccine due to some or the other myths. I hope this is also taken up during the course of the blog. Thanks

Hi, this blog is informative! Just an add on for reasons of late or no or partial immunisation in community due to fear of aefi or unawareness. This might help in reducing the myths community has. Good luck!